Lotus Exige-S now offered with an automatic

The Lotus Exige-S is the kind of car that would appeal to many enthusiasts. It’s low, sleek, has a powerful mid-mounted engine and an automatic transmission. Wait, what? Not to worry Lotus lovers, the Exige-S is still offered with a six-speed manual gearbox, but new for this year is the option to get one with an automatic transmission, including steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus says that offering the Exige S with an automatic “opens up a new market.” Gales reckons that the Exige-S automatic will account for “over a third of the total global sales for the Exige-S range.”

Some might see the automatic as a lazier choice, but in fact, it might just be the quicker option. Lotus claims that the Exige-S automatic can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds – 0.1 seconds quicker than the manual version – since this autobox can swap gears is just 240 milliseconds. The manual version does have a higher top speed, able to hit 274 km/h, while the auto will max out at 261 km/h. Both transmission versions recorded similar lap times around Lotus’ Hethel test track.

Available as both a coupe and a roadster, the automatic option on the Exige-S will set you back about $3,200. However, if you live in North America, you’re out of luck, as the Exige-S is currently not offered for sale on this continent. However, since the car is mechanically identical to the Evora-S – a model that is available here – you can enjoy this drivetrain in a different body.